Celebrity chef Albert Roux, 83, seen out for the first time with high-flying City director wife, 28

Revealed: New wife of celebrity chef Albert Roux, 83, is named as Maria Rodrigues, a high flyer at City firm KPMG, 28 years his junior

  • Roux’s third wife is Maria Rodrigues, a director at global auditors KPMG 
  • They were seen out together for the first time at a Gala Dinner in The Savoy Hotel
  •  They are understood to have married in a private ceremony last year

The new wife of celebrity chef Albert Roux is a City high-flyer who is 28 years his junior, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Roux, 83, was seen for the first time last week with the statuesque blonde, whose name was given only as Maria by a spokesman for the chef.

They are understood to have married in a private ceremony last year.

Now it can be revealed that his third wife is Maria Rodrigues, a director at global accountancy giants KPMG.

Albert Roux and wife Maria 2nd Annual Restaurant Association Gala Dinner, The Savoy Hotel, London, UK

The 55-year-old – who was born in Cheshire and educated at Bristol University – is based at the firm’s Manchester office, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She has a 27-year-old son, Joshua, from her first marriage.

Friends have spoken of her intelligence and charm, and – happily – her passion for food.

Antony Worrall Thompson, Roux’s friend and fellow celebrity chef, told The Mail on Sunday he had met Ms Rodrigues on two occasions.

‘She came across as very intelligent, and it’s fantastic for them,’ he said. ‘I know he is a bit older than her, but good on him. She loves food as well.’

The couple have known each other since at least January 2017, when they were pictured together at a dinner at The Langham hotel in Marylebone, Central London. In a photograph shared by US chef Marc Vogel, Ms Rodrigues is seen smiling and resting her hands on Roux’s shoulders.

Albert Roux and his three wives, Monique (left), Cheryl (centre) and now Maria Rodrigues

Albert Roux and his three wives, Monique (left), Cheryl (centre) and now Maria Rodrigues

Vogel wrote on Facebook: ‘It was a fantastic dinner. Albert was in fine form and a good time was had by all.’

French-born Roux – who trained Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White – won renown for Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in Britain to be awarded three Michelin stars.

He was first married to his childhood sweetheart, Monique. The couple have two children, Michel Roux Jr – a celebrated chef in his own right – and a daughter Danielle. In 2006, he married Zimbabwean millionaire Cheryl Smith, who is 21 years his junior.

The marriage broke up after he met Nataliya Lutsyshyna, a 40-year-old Ukrainian who worked at his restaurant in Parliament Square.

Mr Roux and Ms Rodrigues could not be contacted for comment.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk